Page 179 of On the Breakaway

She takes a bite of her candy bar, then shrugs. “He was never going to fall in love with someone who let him stay in that box. He needs someone who challenges him and gives him room to not be so perfect all the time.”

“And after ten minutes, you think that’s me?”

“Considering this is the first time we’ve met, you should be trying to impress me, and instead basically told me to get fucked.” She chuckles. “I’m going to guess that you pull the same shit with him.”

I cover my eyes. “This is a nightmare.”

Her hand lands casually on my arm. “You know, when I pressed him about you, he talked about you in a way he’s never talked about anyone.”

“Really?” I peek between my fingers, then drop my hand entirely.

“Really.”

The knot in my stomach loosens. “I like him.”

“Oh, honey, I know.” She glances at the ice. “I can tell by the way your gaze keeps drifting down there to see if he’s skated back out of the tunnel yet.”

And maybe it’s because she’s easy to talk to, or maybe it’s just because it feels good to be honest, I keep going.

“I want to tell people. I do.”

“You’re scared.”

“No.” The answer is knee-jerk until I actually consider it. “Well, yes. But if you knew the half of it, you’d understand why. I know what happens when people become important to you.”

“I don’t have to know any of it to understand why.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “My heart is cut into pieces that all walk around outside of my body. And sure, I know motherly love is different than what we’re talking about now. But at the end of the day, love of any kind is terrifying. It wouldn’t mean as much if it weren’t.”

I watch her carefully.

“So, I get being afraid. But I also get that you can’t do things halfway. You need to be all in or all out with every single thing you do in life. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

I turn the words over in my head, but we don’t have another chance to speak before Sloane slides by us back to her seat.

“What are you guys talking about?”

Panic courses through me. This isn’t when people should find out.

Katie saves me. “I was telling her that Mia’s moving to Denver for a bit after her lease is up.”

Thank god.

“Already? Didn’t she just get there?”

“Yeah, but it was a contract job that’s over now.”

Harper and Wesley settle in on my other side. Their conversations blur together because I can’t stop thinking about how simple Katie made it sound.

Is what I feel for Grayson enough to risk being hurt again? Because the fallout from Damon hurt, but the fallout from Grayson would destroy me completely.

Then the arena lights suddenly go out, and the entire building erupts. Players filter back onto the ice, and the second period starts.

All in or all out.

We both deserve better than doing this halfway.

35

Grayson